Photo credit: Noorullah Shirzada, AFP via Getty Images.
A coalition of veterans’ groups is calling on President Donald Trump to reconsider his latest executive order on immigration, warning that it could jeopardize Afghan interpreters and their families who risked their lives to support US military efforts.
Since the Afghanistan war’s end in 2021, around 180,000 Afghans have resettled in the U.S., but many remain in hiding in countries such as Pakistan, fearing forced return to Taliban rule. Veterans are hoping their appeal will prompt the Trump administration to carve out protections for those left behind.
In a letter sent Thursday and obtained by Fox News, the organizations urged Trump to re-evaluate the Realigning the United States Refugee Program executive order, which takes effect Monday and suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Fox News reported that while Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders are not directly affected by the order, advocacy groups such as #AfghanEvac warn that thousands of eligible individuals could be inadvertently left behind due to bureaucratic delays and logistical hurdles. According to the organization, at least 10,000 to 15,000 fully vetted Afghan allies remain stranded abroad, awaiting flights to the US.
In part of the letter published by the network, the groups warned of the “unintentional consequences” of the blanket order:
The current suspension of certain pathways for these allies may unintentionally penalize individuals who could be eligible for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) but do not currently hold them — not because they do not meet the qualifications, but because of the chaotic and disorganized nature of the withdrawal from Afghanistan under the previous administration.
The groups continued to write that they “fully support” Trump’s goal related to national security but said he could address the issue without harming Afghan partners.
According to Fox News, groups such as Save Our Allies, The Independence Fund, and the Mighty Oaks Foundation argue that national security priorities and ally protection are not mutually exclusive.
“We fully support President Trump’s goal of prioritizing American security,” they wrote, “but believe there is a clear opportunity to address this issue without harm to Afghan partners.”
The order does allow for case-by-case refugee admissions under the discretion of the Secretary of State and Homeland Security. Still, veterans fear that without proactive measures, Afghan allies could face deportation and potential violence.
